Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

If you have been charged with a Southern California white collar crime, like insurance fraud, medical fraud, bribery, etc, you may ultimately have to face a jury trial, depending on an array of factors, including what you allegedly did, how much harm ensued, who was involved, the scope of the scheme, etc.

Jury selections can be a tricky business, however, particularly in high profile cases.

To wit, consider the brouhaha surrounding jury selection for the trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray. The Thursday before last, Judge Michael Pastor gathered 160 prospective jurors to see whether attorneys could find candidate jurors to hear Murray’s involuntary manslaughter trial. All 160 prospective jurors had heard about the trial.

Pretty interesting! Although not particularly surprising.

Judge Pastor cautioned the jurors to avoid searching the internet or posting messages outside about the case, as they could face fines as well as jail time for acting in contempt of court. A Los Angeles Times blog post reported that Pastor did not order the jury sequestered. That said, the jury will be “bussed to the court from a secret location each morning, and escorted away every night. Jurors will not be allowed to leave the court house during the day, and will be served lunch at the court.”

Last week, even before the trial began, the ever astute and timely reporters at TMZ.com published information about jurors obtained from questionnaires. Many of the jurors were self-declared Michael Jackson fans, including juror #127, juror #70, juror #44, juror #52, juror #99, juror #38, and juror #108. It’s obviously impossible to tell whether their appreciation for the late pop star’s artistic contributions will disrupt their ability to think clearly and single-mindedly about the allegations against Murray.

The public typically only tunes into the subtleties and nuances (and occasional injustices) of jury trials during big celebrity "trial extravaganzas" like the Murray affair. But if you or someone you care about is facing a criminal charge, such as Southern California medical or chiropractic fraud, Medicaid or Medi-Cal fraud, or some other significant charge, you and your Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will need to strategize very carefully about how to approach every aspect of your legal challenge, including how you select and interact with the jury.

Michael E. Kraut, the Managing Attorney of the Kraut Law Group, has tried over 80 felony trials in his career with an unbelievable 99% success rate at jury trials. He is the recipient of numerous courtroom awards. He lectures to prosecutors and police on criminal investigative techniques, and he enjoys a terrific reputation among prosecutors, judges, and fellow defense attorneys alike as one of the most respected trial attorneys in the city.

Crimes like Los Angeles Medicare, Medical, and Medicaid fraud are serious and scary for defendants. But the details often make for dry, complicated reading.

Readers interested in pulpy, tabloid-like Southern California medical crimes might be more galvanized by an amazing revelation in the trial of Michael Jackson’s erstwhile doctor, Conrad Murray.

According to a report from the UK paper, The Mirror, the transcript of a witness statement “revealed that the doctor [Conrad Murray] stood in front of a lifeless Jacko in the singer's bedroom and claimed: "He doesn’t have a problem. He is fine. He was practicing all night. I am just treating him for dehydration.""

Wow.

The paramedic (Senneff) was the first person on the scene after Jackson’s overdose who was not affiliated in some way with the King of Pop. He “believed the doctor lied to him about what drugs he had given Jacko.” During Murray’s Supreme Court trial here in Los Angeles, the paramedic's words will be parsed very carefully. Prosecutors hope that Senneff’s testimony “will show [that Murray] tried to cover his tracks after giving Jacko the anesthetic propofol.”

Murray allegedly denied to Senneff that Jackson had been taking any medication. In his panic, however, the doc admitted seconds later that he had given Jackson lorazepam for his sleeping troubles.

Two other disturbing snippets from Senneff's testimony:

1) Allegedly, Murray attempted to “clear bottles” from Jackson’s room. What might have been in those bottles? Crazy amounts of medication that the star should never have had access to?

2) Senneff found Murray doing CPR on Jackson on his bed, even after the 911 operators told the doctor to move the King of Pop to the floor for CPR.

Murray’s trial promises to be one of the most watched and commented on of the summer/fall. Michael Jackson’s larger-than-life celebrity profile – and the craziness of the allegations against Murray – will inspire unending chatter in the mainstream media and the blogosphere.

Beyond all the hype, however, the Jackson tragedy and Murray’s charges highlight the fact that there are a lot of people out there who need some kind of help (psychological, medical, legal, etc.) who either don’t have access to help or don’t know how to ask for it.

If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime in Los Angeles, like Los Angeles insurance fraud, theft crimes in Burbank, or another white collar crime in Southern California, former Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Kraut can help. Attorney Kraut is an experienced criminal defense lawyer with a great track record at jury trials, a Harvard Law School education, and a deep working understanding of how to build and execute great defenses.

If you smoke medical marijuana and get behind the wheel – or drive under the influence of alcohol in Beverly Hills -- you can be charged with a crime pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a). Indeed, it doesn’t matter if the marijuana you smoke is legal – even over-the-counter medications or prescription medications taken with a doctor’s order can cause you to violate 23152(a). In the annals of the literature about Glendale DUI, Burbank DUI, Los Angeles DUI, and Pasadena DUI, you can find hundreds of cases involving people getting arrested for driving after consuming totally illegal drugs.

The question about how to measure drug-induced driving problems has obsessed lawmakers and policymakers for some time. The Colorado Senate last month proposed a bill to set a limit for marijuana blood content. But last Tuesday, the CO Senate Judiciary Committee killed that bill -- House Bill 1261 -- on a voice vote. The Pot DUI Bill would have set a limit for medicinal marijuana drivers – if you had more than 5 nanograms per milliliter of THC in your blood, you would be considered over the legal limit.

A medicinal marijuana advocate, William Breathes, demonstrated that his THC levels remained over that limit -- even after he had slept for a full night and abstained from smoking for 15 hours. An occupational medicine specialist evaluated him at that time and declared him to be “in no way incapacitated.”

Advocates of the Pot DUI Bill, such as Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, were furious that the bill died. Said Suthers: “It is dumbfounding that the Colorado Senate could fail to pass a per se Marijuana bill. There are approximately 125,000 Coloradans authorized by state law to use medical marijuana…The Senate’s vote yesterday exhibited not only a lack of concern for the safety of Colorado drivers and pedestrians, but also an inability to lead.”

This policy debate is hugely important, and it's one that’s not likely to go away, especially here in California, where more and more citizens over the past decade have been using medicinal marijuana to treat problems like glaucoma, chronic pain, and depression and anxiety. If you’ve been arrested for a drug-related DUI in Beverly Hills, a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, such as Michael Kraut of Beverly Hills’ Kraut Law Group (9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450, Beverly Hills, California 90210 Phone: (310) 550-6935), can provide you with the essential guidance and legal counsel you need.

Mr. Kraut is well regarded by peers and by the media as an expert on the subject of Los Angeles DUI, and he also served for nearly a decade-and-a-half as a prosecutor of drug and alcohol crimes.

Celebutante Paris Hilton's 2006 Los Angeles DUI made headlines around the globe. The billionaire heiress was sentenced to 45 days behind bars for violating her probation, and she served her jail time on June 3, 2007 – just after she finished attending the MTV Movie Awards. Her subsequent release on June 26, 2007 attracted hoards of paparazzi and other star watchers and turned her Los Angeles DUI event into one of the stories of the year.

Although Ms. Hilton attempted rehabilitation, this summer has been pretty rough for her. During the World Cup in South Africa, Hilton got detained by local authorities for allegedly possessing marijuana – she was later exculpated when authorities discovered that another person in her coterie had been smoking. More recently – on August 27th – Hilton got busted for cocaine possession in Las Vegas near the Wynn Casino. Paris had been a passenger in a Cadillac Escalade driven by her boyfriend, Cy Waits, who got pulled over by the police. As Hilton waited, she removed lip balm from her purse, revealing a small but not insignificant amount of cocaine right in front of the officer. Hilton was booked for cocaine possession at the Clark County Detention Center and released the next day. Her boyfriend, Waits, got charged with driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (allegedly marijuana).

According to California Vehicle Code section 23152 (a), if you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Burbank (or wherever in California), you can be charged with a significant crime. The drugs can be illegal – e.g. cocaine or marijuana – or even over-the-counter prescription drugs. Although an officer will not likely give you a breathalyzer test for a Burbank DUI drug case, you may be asked to submit a urine or blood sample to be chemically analyzed.

Although all Los Angeles DUI drug cases are serious – and penalties can include everything from jail time to mandatory drug and alcohol classes to suspension of driving privileges – a qualified and experienced Southern California DUI attorney can often break down the prosecution's case against you. For instance, the so-called science used to identify someone as under the influence of drugs can be attacked using a number of different strategies and tactics.

Continue reading "Another Los Angeles DUI Bust for Paris Hilton? Not Quite – This Time It's Cocaine in Vegas" »

Many articles about Los Angeles DUI tell you how to avoid getting into dangerous driving situations, how to handle the police at the scene, and even how to draft an effective legal contest to your charges. But very few resources out there tell you what to do -- how to handle the stress, agita, confusion, and overwhelm that you feel -- in the hours and days after your arrest. This blog post aims to help defendants take smart, active and resourceful steps to help with damage control.

1. Record what happened

The human memory is notoriously fluid and malleable. Although you may feel like that your Glendale DUI arrest will forever being burned in your mind, your memory has a way of warping events. If you cannot clearly and articulately recall what happened, you may not be able to put up your stiffest defense. To that end, write down precisely what happened as soon as you get home and get cleaned up. If you remember any officer quotes – things that might be helpful in constructing a defense – be sure to note those. Note time lines. If you were given a breathalyzer or blood test, note how that went. Write down the names of officers who arrested you, and so on and so forth. The more information you can get out of your head and onto paper right now, the easier it will be for your Pasadena DUI lawyer to help you strategize your defense.

2. Don't delay taking action

For one thing, your California driver’s license could be suspended if you don’t try to contest your charges. Also, if you miss court dates or other key deadlines, you could face penalties above and beyond those stemming from your Southern California DUI.

3. Find an attorney ASAP

True, you can handle your own defense. But if you fail to put up the stiffest resistance to the charges against you, the consequences could be dire. Not only could you face jail time – sometimes much more jail time than the minimum 48 hours behind bars – but you could also face heightened court costs, stricter probation terms, a lengthier license suspension, and more mandatory alcohol school.

4. Steel yourself.

In the weeks and months ahead, you may have to go through difficult times as you relive your arrest and explain to family and friends what’s going on. Do your best to get perspective on what happened, and count your blessings that you are still alive. It is possible to recover from a DUI arrest and rebuild your life, become a safer, more mindful driver. It is going to take work and soul searching to figure out how you got to where you are now – and how to make improvements in your life.

As part of your battle strategy, you almost certainly want to get the help of an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer.

Continue reading "What to Do After Being Arrested for Los Angeles DUI" »

Michael Douglas' son, Cameron Douglas, was in a Federal courthouse when his girlfriend attempted to smuggle drugs to the actor's son. This past Monday Kelly Sott visited her boyfriend at the courthouse. During the visit she was caught trying to smuggle the young Douglas heroin. As soon as she was caught for her drug crime, she should have immediately hired a Los Angeles drug crime defense attorney. One of the most important things that can happen when an arrest or an investigation begins is to hire a pre-filing defense attorney that can represent a suspect early on in the proceedings.

Cameron Douglas was in the court facing Federal charges for a meth bust. Sott was arrested when she attempted to pass him an electric toothbrush filled with dime bags of the deadly drug.

In California, as in most states, it is illegal to pass a narcotics to a prisoner. The result, prison for the convicted felon.

Continue reading " Michael Douglas' Son Arrested for Drugs Which Could Have Ramifications for the Family in Los Angeles" »

In these harsh economic times California and cities throughout the State are trying to find new ventures to tax. As we all know, taxes mean increased city services. However, most people do not want to pay more income taxes. Legislators and community activists have put their heads together and come up with a new way to raise money without much complaining.

The Oakland City Council put a measure on the ballot to tax legalized medical marijuana. The measure passed by over 80% of the vote. The measure allows for a 1.8% tax on the receipts for the City's licensed cooperatives.

Medical marijuana became legal under proposition 215 and since then, the Federal government has agreed not to prosecute individuals who fully comply with State laws in California. The Los Angeles medical marijuana defense attorney who gives consultations on how to comply with State laws for the legal use of medical marijuana is able to assist his clients from becoming criminally charges because they violate the law.

Continue reading "Medical Marijuana Will Now Be Taxed in California" »

The Los Angeles Police Department is spearheading the investigation into the pop star's death. Recent leaks in the investigation have pointed into the direction of repeated overdosing of Michael Jackson by his many close physicians. However, the focus of the investigation seems to be pointing to Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murry.

On Wednesday, July 21, 2009, The Drug Enforcement Administration raided Dr. Murry's Houston office. Armed with a search warrant, they entered the office and took numerous items. Accompanying the DEA were Los Angeles Police Department detectives assigned to the Jackson Investigation. Murry was with the singer at the time of his death.

Because of the scope and extensiveness of the Los Angeles investigation, it would be wise for Dr. Murry, or any other medical professional to immediately contact a Los Angeles Pre-filing criminal Defense Attorney. The skills of a former Los Angeles criminal prosecutor can be very helpful to anyone under investigation. Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys who are former prosecutors often have conducted similar investigations and know how best to protect the suspect from further harm.

Continue reading "Michael Jackson's Doctor Has Office Raided After LAPD Asks For Los Angeles Search Warrant" »

Superstar Michael Jackson and Actress Farrah Fawcett both died today, June 25, 2009. Both of these superstars had repeated run in with the law. Fawcett was arrested for a Los Angeles DUI case that involved driving under the influence of drugs in Southern California.

Facts showed that she was seen driving in an erratic manner that gave police suspicion to arrest her. Her Los Angeles DUI defense attorney was able to work on the case in an aggressive manner that resulted in a very advantageous deal.

It is with great sadness that she died after a very long and public battle with cancer. Her family and loved ones were present with her when she passed.

The second death reported today was that of Michael Jackson. The pop star who had repeatedly fought charges of child molestation and other charges, died of an apparent heart attack at the home that was being rented for him. He was at home preparing for a 50 concert series in London.

It is being reported that Michael Jackson was fighting off a Los Angeles drug crime addition to prescription drugs. He was fighting this addiction for many years and passed away at home. Firefighters worked for over an hour to revive him. While all efforts were made to assist him, Jackson never regained conscious.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Loses Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett " »

United States Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Federal law enforcement will no longer target medical marijuana dispensaries in California that operate legally. That means that Los Angeles and Southern California medical marijuana defense attorneys will have an upper edge. For the first time in the history of the United States, Federal laws are no longer going to be used to prosecute a drug crime. President Obama announced during his campaign that medical marijuana prosecutions would no longer be a priority under his administration.

The new policy has a direct effect on the 13 states that have legalized marijuana laws. Of those 13, only California allows for medical marijuana dispensaries operate legally. Until now, the Feds have not acknowledged the existence of Proposition 215 enacted by the citizens of California in 1996. Also called the Compassionate Use Act, Prop 215, allows for those with a medical need to have a doctor "recommend" the use of marijuana to relieve symptoms.

Under the newly announced policy, the Federal Government will no longer target those individuals that do not violate state laws on marijuana. In order for a dispensary to be legal under California law, and thus immune from Federal prosecution, they must comply with the California Attorney General August, 2008, announcement of compliance as well as other laws.

A dispensary must seek guidance from a Los Angeles based medical marijuana criminal defense attorney in order to make sure that they are not violate the law. If the dispensary can operate legally, then the Feds will leave them alone.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown's position is that a medical marijuana dispensary must operate as a nonprofit cooperative. That means the marijuana must be grown by cooperative members to be sold without a profit to other cooperative members. Those members must all have a medical necessity for marijuana to treat their symptoms. The member must have a valid recommendation from a duly licensed doctor. The dispensary must be both licensed and pay taxes on its sales as well as provide security for the facility. There are dozens of other requirements that must be put in place prior to a person opening a legal dispensary.

Continue reading "United States Attorney General Announces New Committment To Avoid Prosecuting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Who Operate Legally in Los Angeles and California" »

The Northern California city of Alameda has revoked the license of a medical marijuana dispensary which has operated lawfully for several months. The owner of the Purple Elephant contests the revocation and believes that he is being harassed. Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries will need to hire a Los Angeles Medical Marijuana defense attorney in order to keep the scrutiny of their legitimate business at bay from the Federal Government which has stated that it will fully prosecute those that sell marijuana.

The Alameda City Manager sent the revocation letter because she believed that the owner of the dispensary had failed to disclose the true nature of his business on the license application. Additionally, the City Manager claims that the owner of the Purple Elephant did not obtain the required zoning clearance for the dispensary before opening. The owner has sought an appeal of the revocation. While the appeal is pending, the dispensary is allowed to remain open.

It is important for those that frequent Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries, or Southern California medical marijuana dispensaries, that it is still legal to use medical pot pursuant to proposition 215. This section was codified under Health and Safety Code 11362.5. This section states that a person may use medical marijuana if they have a doctor's recommendation that they have a medical condition. The code also states that a person may cultivate pot for their own personal consumption as long as they do not sell it. Even though it is still legal under State law, the Federal Government has stated that it will fully enforce the Federal laws in United States District Court. That means that people who use marijuana need to keep in contact with a Los Angeles medical marijuana attorney to protect their interests.

Continue reading "Medical Marijuana Dispensary License Revoked in Northern California, Is Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Next?" »

As we see the beginning of a new President and Vice President for the United States, we will most likely see a new beginning for criminal prosecutions for Los Angeles DUIs and Southern California criminal law.

Already the new administration has claimed that there will be a clamp down on crime. The local administrations have also claimed that they will vigorously prosecute even minor offenses. It will not matter if you are arrested for a Los Angeles DUI, a Long Beach crime, a San Fernando robbery, or a Pasadena DUI, the police will be trying to enforce the law to the fullest. For that reason, it is important to hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has the experience and knowledge to defend you.

The new emphasis on punishment for minor offenses is going to put regular citizens in a bad position. In the past, judges and prosecutors understood that there is a clear difference between people who are law abiding but who make a mistake, and those who a repeat offenders. Now, even minor offenses are going to punished more severely.

As a former prosecutor, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut, handles criminal matters in the Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. His Harvard Law School training and over 14 years experience as a senior trial prosecutor has put Mr. Kraut in a unique position to defend individuals arrested and charged with Los Angeles based crimes.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime and or you need to hire a Los Angeles pre-filing defense attorney or you are under investigation for violent crime in Southern California, please contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for 24/7 assistance by phone at (323) 464-6453 or toll free at (888) 334-6344 or online.

In a shift from a decade ago, violent crime in Los Angeles has declined for 6 straight years. Police in this Southern California city are thankful in the decrease. Others worry that the decline will reversed due to the failing economy.

Los Angeles homicides decreased about 5% from the previous year. While that number is not that impressive, the total total drop of 27% in 5 years. Law enforcement claim that the decrease is due to the severe push in gang eradication.

Violent crime has also dropped for other Southern California cities. San Diego saw a slight down turn, while San Bernardino had a 7% decrease, and Orange County also saw a drop in violent crimes

Continue reading "Violent crime down in Los Angeles and Southern California in 2008" »

I want to wish everyone in the Los Angeles and Southern California area who reads or is redirected to this Los Angeles and Southern California Criminal Defense Blog a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. This blog is now six months old and I am pleased that it seems to have helped so many people. I have received many comments from people around the area that they have been helped by the information here.

In an attempt to wrap it up for the year I want to make sure that people are safe for this holiday season. I also want those people people who get into a Los Angeles DUI that if they should be stopped by the police in at a Southern California DUI checkpoint, or by Los Angeles law enforcement, that a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney is available 24/7 to assist if you or a loved one.

Because Southern California DUIs are taken so seriously, you need to know your rights and responsibilities. Remember you do not need to take the Los Angeles Law Enforcement PAS test in the field. If you are stopped by the police make sure to be polite. If they ask you to take the Los Angeles field sobriety tests you must comply. But if they ask or demand that you take a PAS test you are allowed to refuse. It is the recommendation of this Los Angeles DUI defense attorney to refuse this test. It can only be used against you. If you blow a significant BAC then you will be arrested. If you are taken to the police station you will be offered a choice of the breath or blood test. The choice is yours. But try to delay the test as long as possible. The law requires that the blood test must be taken with a specific time. If it is not done within the allotted time then the results will be thrown out in court.

Continue reading "Christmas and Holiday Wishes From Los Angeles and Southern California" »

2008 is almost over and the star studded, celebrity crimes including Los Angeles DUIs, Southern California drug possessions, and other movie star crimes is in its final countdown for the year end.

In Los Angeles, celebrities not only entertain us in the movies, on TV and in theaters, but also on the nightly news. Just as there is a countdown to the top music hits and movies for the year, so do we countdown the top celebrity crimes and sex scandals.

A brief summary of those crimes are as follows:

Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have been the top eye catchers this year. Jail time, rehab time, and parenting counseling have led all stars to the front line of the blogging circuit. All have found themselves in the Los Angeles DUI headines being represented by top notch Los Angeles and Southern California DUI criminal defense attorneys.

Amy Winehouse may have won 5 Grammys this year, but she will always be remembered for her drug induced behavior including smoking crack cocaine and becoming thinner then anyone could possibly believe. Once again she attempted to find her way to rehab only to try, try again.

Actor David Duchovny made the news this year for his sex scandal followed by a confession that he was entering rehab to avoid falling into a hole of sex addiction. While Los Angeles sex crimes are waning in the last year, celebrity sex scandals are hitting an all time high. The role that Duchovny plays in his Emmy nominated role as sex-obsessed writer Hank Moody in Showtime's Californication, is eerily similar to his real life confessions. Oddly enough, he will be back again this year playing the same role on screen he is trying to vex from his system in his personal life.

Madonna did not escape the year of controversy when she was rumored to have a sex affair with the Yankee star Alex Rodriquez. This might not have seemed to be such a wild story but it was soon followed up by behind the scene statements that she and her husband of many years, Guy Richie, were breaking up.

Continue reading "Celebrity Crime and Show Business Meltdowns in Los Angeles Almost Done for 2008" »

The United States Coast Guard based out of Newport Beach, California made a gigantic seizure of marijuana off the coast of Southern California this past week. Government sources claim that the pot is worth over $32 million. That could be a lot of medical marijuana. However, the Government asserts that the 9,987-pound seizure off the coast of San Diego was for illegal purposes and was not destined to stock the shelves of medical marijuana dispensaries in California.

This is considered the be the largest marijuana seizure in the history of the Coast Guard in Southern California. Because the marijuana was seized in Mexican waters, the United States does not have jurisdiction to file criminal charges. If our Government in fact does file the criminal charges, then there are numerous defenses in a case of this type and the pilot of the boat should be looking to hire a Los Angeles and Southern California Marijuana defense attorney.

Apparently, the Coast Guard was on routine patrol when they spotted a boat about 100 miles off the coast acting in a suspicious manner. The trained eyes of the Government noticed that the ship was traveling very slow, until the sun began to go down and then the vessel sped up. This caused the Coast Guard to think that something was a miss. The fact that the boat did not use lights made them think the boat was a drug runner. The Coast Guard then tried to stop the vessel based upon their suspicion. Often times, the Government incorrectly stop individuals with out reasonable suspicion. Without the assistance of a top notch Southern California Marijuana defense attorney, individuals who would normally go free, are wrongfully convicted. That is why it is so important for anyone arrested or under investigation for a marijuana crime to immediately hire a Los Angeles pre-filing criminal defense attorney to protect their rights.

Then the chase was on. For over 3 miles the Coast Guard attempted to stop the vessel like a scene from Miami Vice, the captain began to through bails of pot over board.

The Coast Guard was prevented from pursuing the vessel in Mexican waters so they passed the information on to their counter parts int he Mexican Navy. While the Mexican Navy did their thing, the Coast Guard went back and picked up 136 bails of pot.

Continue reading "Huge Shipment Of Marijuana Seized Off The Coast Of Southern California" »

A civil suit has been filed in Los Angeles by the passengers of the SUV that Lindsay Lohan drove the night she was arrested for DUI and drug possession back on July 24, 2007. The story began when Lohan's assistant and the famous star had an argument. The assistant fled and Lohan jumped into an SUV that had other passengers in the vehicle. As Lohan sped through the streets of Los Angeles giving chase in the SUV, she blew street signs and stop lights. The suit alleges that the passengers were "crying for their lives" and are now suing the star for the fear that they felt.

Lohan, who pled guilty after her arrest, has completed a rehabilitation program in Utah. Additionally, she seems to have gotten her life back together, began dating her current girl friend, DJ Samantha Ronson, and is currently working on her new album. The Southern California DUI defense attorney did an excellent job of helping his client get back on her feet.

Critics of those who filed suit ask why the men did not just get out of the SUV during the times when the stopped. The men are seeking $50,000 in damages.

A homeless encampment in the City of Long Beach was rocked this past weekend when 5 bodies were found murdered. The victims all were homeless people who lived or frequented underneath a busy freeway were shot to death.

One of the major problems is that the first heavy rain of the season may have washed away important evidence from the killings of the three men and two women. The area is not one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Often the area is used for narcotics sales.

Once arrested the suspect(s) will face murder charges and most likely the special circumstances of multiple murder, making the punishment potentially the death penalty. The person or persons who might have committed this crime should hire a Los Angeles Violent Crimes defense attorney. Early retention of an attorney is a must when facing these types of charges. There may viable defenses and witnesses. The longer the delay in hiring an attorney, the greater the chance the evidence will be lost or vanish.

Oscar nominee Ryan O'Neal and his son were arrested in Los Angeles for felony drug possession today. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged both with the crimes after the Sheriff's Department conducted a probation search of the 67 year old actor's house in Malibu.

The actual search occurred back on September 17, 2008, but formal charges were delayed until recently. The police were at the home conducting a probation search of O'Neal's son, Redman, who also lived at the malibu residence. At the time of the search the Sheriffs found methamphetamine on Redman and in his father's bedroom. That lead to both being charged with felony possession. It is anticipated that he will hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who practices in Southern California.

Redman was previously convicted in June of this year for felony drug possession and a misdemeanor of driving under the influence. At the time his car was pulled over, law enforcement found

Last year Redman, whose mother is actress Farrah Fawcett, was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. When he was search police found that he was in possession of heroin and crystal meth. He plead guilty and was not given any jail time but was placed on probation with serious terms and conditions.

Continue reading "Ryan O'Neal and Son Charged with Felony Drug Possession in Los Angeles" »